Motorbikes and blue smoke fill streets of Sheffield in farewell to teenager Ethan Slater

By Gbam Godwin On Apr 3, 2026

Motorbikes and blue smoke fill streets of Sheffield in farewell to teenager Ethan Slater.

Today (April 2), the streets of Shiregreen and Ecclesfield were decorated in blue for the funeral of Sheffield teenager Ethan Slater.

Last month, 17-year-old Ethan and his girlfriend, 15-year-old Cherish Bean of Parson Cross, were discovered dead at a holiday park in Bridlington.

Ethan Slater, 17, and his childhood sweetheart Cherish Bean, 15, died together in a tragedy while on a family holiday in Bridlington in a suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. | Contributed

Both died in a suspected carbon monoxide disaster while on vacation with family. Four persons have been arrested in relation.

Cherish’s burial was last week, and Parson Cross was lit up with pink balloons, fireworks, and brightly clad mourners.
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And today, April 2, it was Ecclesfield and Shiregreen’s turn to commemorate Ethan’s life.

Ethan's funeral procession stretched from St Mary's Church to Shiregreen. — Ethan’s funeral procession stretched from St Mary’s Church to Shiregreen. | S70 Media

Following Ethan’s family’s appeal, thousands of blue balloons, ribbons, and chalk paint cans adorned the procession to St Mary’s Church in Ecclesfield.
Throughout Wednesday, dozens of well-wishers decorated the route for Ethan’s final farewell.

Mourners met at the family home on Molineux Road before accompanying Ethan’s loved ones to St Mary’s Church.

Mourners line the streets ahead of Ethan's funeral. — Mourners line the streets ahead of Ethan’s funeral. | Paul Atkin

The walk to Shiregreen Cemetery was about two miles long and took more than an hour.
Sports cars and quad motorcycles raced across the city, with bystanders setting off blue smoke flares.

Young people clad in blue rode on horseback or on the roofs of cars along the way.

Youngsters rode on quads bikes, bicycles and motorcycles behind the procession. | S70 Media

The wedding at Shiregreen was followed by a wake at the Colley Club.

Ethan’s mother, Gabi Gatto, 35, told The Star last week: “He will be missed by so many, but our biggest comfort is that he and Cherish are together; he’s not alone.” It’s good to know they have each other.

Gabi’s final words to Ethan before he left on his vacation were things she’d spoken a hundred times before: “Bye, love you.” Have a good time!”

Teens stood through sunroofs, rode on the roofs of cars and even rode horseback along the route. | S70 Media

A self-confessed “big joker” Ethan was known to “wind up” his siblings with “dead legs and bogeys”.

Just a week before his murder, Ethan celebrated his 17th birthday and had his first driving lesson, which he had always wanted to accomplish.

His mother claimed he had a fascination for cars and “hated walking,” frequently asking family members for rides. He returned home after his first class buzzing with enthusiasm after being told he was a ‘natural’.

Mum Gabi added, “We will never be able to heal from the loss of these two lovely beings; all we can hope for is to meet again someday.

It comes barely a week after the burial of Cherish, who died beside Ethan while on holiday in Bridlington. The young couple was vacationing in a chalet at a holiday park when disaster struck.

The procession route was decorated in blue after hours of work by wellwishers on Wednesday. | S70 Media

A brigade of youngsters on motorbikes formed a large part of the procession. | S70 Media

Her funeral also flooded Parson Cross with colour, with mourners riding in sports cars and setting off pink smoke flares.
Gabi explained how she finds comfort in the knowing that the young couple is together.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is being investigated as a possible cause of death, and four arrests have been made for manslaughter by gross negligence.